Former South Korean president sentenced to 24 years jail for corruption charges

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Former South Korean president sentenced to 24 years jail for corruption charges

Former South Korean president sentenced to 24 years jail for corruption charges

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Former South Korean president sentenced to 24 years jail for corruption charges

Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye has been convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison, a year after she was driven from office and arrested over a corruption scandal that saw months of massive street rallies calling for her ouster.

The conviction, which she can appeal, is the latest hit in a dramatic fall for South Korea’s first female president.

Park maintains she’s a victim of "political revenge” and has been refusing to attend court sessions since October.

She didn’t attend the verdict, citing a sickness that wasn’t specified publicly.

In a nationally televised verdict, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Park of bribery, extortion, abuse of power and other charges.

"It’s inevitable that the defendant should be held strictly responsible for her crimes, if only to prevent the unfortunate event of (a president) abusing the power given by the people and causing chaos in state affairs,” Chief Judge Kim Se-yun said.

Along with the prison sentence, Park was also fined 18 billion won ($21.9 million), judge Kim said.

Both Park and the prosecutors have one week to appeal.

The Seoul court convicted Park of colluding with longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to pressure 18 business groups to donate a total of 77.4 billion won ($94.4 million) for the launch of two foundations controlled by Choi.

The scandal has already led to the arrests, indictments and convictions of dozens of high-profile government officials and business leaders.

Choi is serving a 20-year prison term and Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong was initially sentenced to five years in prison before his sentence was suspended on appeal. Source:APC